When a bull is not ringed, the farmer can keep it under control with the help of a bullock-holder. He places the pliers on the septum in the nose and presses the arms closed. The bull must keep its head still so as not to be in pain.
The jaws of a nose clipper are wide and round. They end in two spheres so as not to hurt the septum. The pincers can consist of two levers of the first type (e.g. MOT V 91.0677 – see also glossary) with the arms usually ending in an eye, so that the farmer can attach a rope or a bull leader. The bullock-holder can also consist of two levers of the third kind (see glossary) whereby a ring slides over the arms to close the jaws (e.g. MOT V 83.0399). Sometimes that ring is combined with a leaf spring (e.g. MOT V Dv 0011) or replaced by a coil spring (e.g. MOT V 96.0283). In a specific model, the distance between the jaws of the pliers is controlled by a set screw (e.g. MOT V 91.0679).
See also the bull leader. [MOT]
From: BARRAL & SAGNIER: 1. 477
From: BARRAL & SAGNIER: 1. 477
From: BARRAL & SAGNIER: 1. 478